The longest baseball game in MLB history by innings was a 26-inning, 1–1 tie between Brooklyn and the Boston Braves on May 1, 1920. Neither team won, as the game was called because of fading daylight.
By total playing time, the record belongs to the Chicago White Sox and Milwaukee Brewers. On May 8–9, 1984, they played 25 innings over two days in a game lasting 8 hours and 6 minutes. Chicago won 7–6.
These are two different records, and both are worth knowing. Here is the story behind each marathon, along with other historic games that deserve recognition.
The Longest MLB Games at a Glance
| Date | Matchup | Innings | Duration | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 1, 1920 | Brooklyn at Boston Braves | 26 | 3:50 | 1–1 tie |
| May 8–9, 1984 | Brewers at White Sox | 25 | 8:06 | White Sox 7–6 |
| September 11, 1974 | Cardinals at Mets | 25 | 7:04 | Cardinals 4–3 |
| October 26, 2018 | Red Sox at Dodgers, World Series Game 3 | 18 | 7:20 | Dodgers 3–2 |
26 Innings and Nobody Won: The 1920 MLB Marathon
The record-holder by innings took place at Braves Field in Boston on May 1, 1920. Brooklyn, then commonly known as the Robins, faced the Boston Braves in cold, damp conditions. According to SABR's historical game account, misty rain added to the difficult conditions late in the afternoon.
Both starting pitchers completed all 26 innings. Joe Oeschger pitched for Boston, while Leon Cadore handled the entire game for Brooklyn. Their extraordinary endurance remains one of the most remarkable pitching feats in professional baseball.
Each team scored once, and neither could produce another run. After 26 innings, the game was called because it had become too dark to continue. Ballparks did not have the lighting systems used in modern stadiums, so the teams had to accept a 1–1 tie.
The game lasted only 3 hours and 50 minutes. That may seem surprising today, but baseball in the dead-ball era often moved faster than the modern game.
Modern starting pitchers rarely complete even nine innings, making this 26-inning pitching achievement extraordinarily difficult to imagine happening again.
The Eight-Hour Baseball Marathon: White Sox vs. Brewers in 1984
The longest MLB game by elapsed playing time took place at Comiskey Park in Chicago. The Milwaukee Brewers and Chicago White Sox began playing on May 8, 1984, but the contest continued into the following day.
The teams were still tied after 17 innings when the American League's curfew rule stopped the game. Play was suspended at 1:03 a.m. and resumed the next evening.
The game continued for another eight innings before Harold Baines ended it in the bottom of the 25th with a 420-foot walk-off home run at 9:12 p.m. The White Sox won 7–6. Baines went 5-for-12, and the teams combined for 43 hits.
Tom Seaver, a future Hall of Famer, earned the victory after pitching the 25th inning. He then started the regularly scheduled game that followed and helped Chicago secure another win, 5–4.
For more background on Chicago baseball and its historic rivalries, read our White Sox vs Cubs: Rivalry, History, Games & More guide.
The Cardinals and Mets Play 25 Innings in 1974
On September 11, 1974, the St. Louis Cardinals and New York Mets played a 25-inning game at Shea Stadium. It remains tied for the second-most innings in MLB history.
The contest ended at approximately 3:12 a.m. when Bake McBride reached first base on an infield hit. A subsequent throwing error and a balk call helped McBride advance toward home, where he scored after the Mets failed to complete the tag.
The Cardinals won 4–3 after 7 hours and 4 minutes. According to SABR's account of the game, 50 players appeared in the marathon, and nine played all 25 innings.
The Longest Postseason Game: World Series Game 3 in 2018
Postseason baseball has produced its own unforgettable marathon. Game 3 of the 2018 World Series between the Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers lasted 18 innings and 7 hours and 20 minutes, setting a World Series record for both innings and elapsed time.
Max Muncy ended the game with a walk-off home run, giving the Dodgers a 3–2 victory. Nathan Eovaldi also delivered a remarkable relief performance, throwing 97 pitches over six innings before taking the loss.
According to MLB.com's review of Game 3, the four games of the 1939 World Series combined lasted less time than this single contest.
The Minor League Game That Lasted 33 Innings
Although MLB has seen extraordinary marathons, the longest professional baseball game by innings took place in Triple-A. The Pawtucket Red Sox and Rochester Red Wings played 33 innings at McCoy Stadium in Rhode Island.
The game began at 8:02 p.m. on April 18, 1981. Cold conditions made the night uncomfortable for players and spectators. After 32 innings, the game was suspended at 4:09 a.m., with only a small number of the original crowd remaining.
The teams returned on June 23 to finish the game. Dave Koza delivered the winning hit in the bottom of the 33rd inning, giving Pawtucket a 3–2 victory. Future Hall of Famers Wade Boggs and Cal Ripken Jr. also appeared in the game.
Read MLB.com's account of the longest professional baseball game for more details about this extraordinary contest.
Will the Longest MLB Game Record Ever Be Broken?
Breaking the 26-inning regular-season record may be difficult under modern MLB rules. Since 2020, regular-season extra innings have started with an automatic runner on second base. MLB made this rule permanent in 2023.
With a runner already in scoring position, teams have more opportunities to score during extra innings, potentially reducing the likelihood of extremely long regular-season games.
The postseason is different because the automatic runner rule does not apply. That means another lengthy October game remains possible, although a 26-inning contest would require exceptional circumstances, including sustained pitching and multiple missed scoring opportunities.
The 1920 game remains remarkable because it reflects a different era of baseball, when two starting pitchers completed 26 innings each and darkness ultimately prevented a winner from emerging.
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